Step 3 – Refocus

In this step your aim is to refocus your attention away from the tempting thoughts and feelings/urges to actions and thoughts that glorifies God.

The question you ask yourself is, "What can I do about these thoughts and feelings/urges?"

Turn your attention to more constructive behaviour.

By refusing to take temptations at face value, you learn to ignore, or to work around them by refocusing your attention on the right behaviour, thereby glorifying God.

You need to adopt a new way of responding to the thoughts and feelings/urges, the ideas and impulses, by redirecting your attention to something other than the temptation.

The goal is to stop responding to tempting thoughts and feelings/urges as if you don’t have a choice. You have the power to make the choice. You no longer respond to the thoughts and feelings/urges automatically, as a programmed robot would. In Refocusing, you reclaim your decision-making power.

It is vitally important to turn your attention away from the thought or feeling/urge, towards some other righteous task or activity.

Do not wait for thoughts or feelings/urges to go away immediately. And, by all means, don't do what the temptation is entices you to do.

The long-term goal of this step is not to fall for temptation. You refuse to allow these tempting thoughts, feelings and urges to determine your actions.

Paul guides believers to focus on alternatives: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Phil. 4:8 – ESV).

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:1-3 – ESV).

With focused attention on that which pleases God, the believer can live in victory.

Next week we will conclude with a summary.

SOURCES

Easy to Read Version (ERV).

Schwartz, JM, Beyette, B, Brain Lock: Free yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviour, (Harper Collins Publishers, Inc: New York, USA, 1996).

Schwartz, JM, Begley, S, The Mind &The Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force, (Harper Collins Publishers, Inc: New Yourk, USA, 2002). 

Schwartz, JM, Gladding, R, You are not Your Brain" The 4-Step solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and Taking Control of Your Life, (Penguin Books Ltd: London, England, 2011).